A recent study of late-life alcohol consumption and drinking problems was based on a sample of “late-middle-aged” (55–65 years old at baseline) “community residents” who were recruited from the western part of the US.

As its Japanese home market struggles to expand Ray Rowlands of Drinksinfo Ltd looks at the recent overseas ventures that the Asahi Group has undertaken in its hunt for growth culminating in its latest foray, this time in the Indonesian soft drinks arena.

Whilst reports suggest that overall alcohol consumption is declining, it seems the craft beer industry is capitalising on the public’s over-familiarity with mass-market beer brands and instead turning to more innovative flavours of beer, backed by creative branding and marketing campaigns. Stuart Whitwell from Intangible Business surveys the scene.

At the launch of an extension to Heineken's hugely successful Desperados brand two weeks ago, the brewer's UK management issued a brash come-on to rivals looking to challenge them in the so-called “spirit-beer” category. “You'd better be good,” they said.

A few weeks ago, reports broke suggesting that Bacardi is set to embark on a shopping spree to plug the Bourbon gap in its portfolio. Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph in an interview published late last month, CEO Ed Shirley said: “The obvious gap that we have would be in Bourbons and ryes.”